Running Shoes types

Nowadays, saying "I have running shoes" is like saying nothing. There are so many varieties of them that it is easy to get confused. However, each of the segments has its own features and serves strictly for the specific needs of users. Let's take a look at them.

While this article is primarily created to help runners choose the right type of running shoe, we will also cover non-running running shoes. It is still important to understand what is not suitable for the sport.

Table of contents:

1. Running shoes for daily use
2. Running shoes for fitness
3. Running shoes for track and field
4. Running - CUSHIONING
5. Running - STABILITY
6. Running - SUPPORT
7. Running - SPEED
8. Running - ROLLING MOTION
9. FINAL SCHEME OF RUNNING SHOES SEGMENTATION
10. List of Running shoes models by segment
11. Trailrunning

Almost immediately after its introduction, running shoes began to attract non-athletes to wear them in everyday life. The key here is that running shoes always have advanced cushioning technology, good stability, they are lightweight and well ventilated.

For example, basketball and tennis sneakers, which were also popular, have a reinforced top to increase fixation during lateral movements, due to this, they are less ventilated compare to running shoes.

Manufacturers realized this and continued to develop this direction of lightweight, cushioning, ventilated sneakers. It has become a distinct segment of running shoes. We do not recommend using them for sports. They are quite easy to distinguish and have the following features:

Another type of running shoe is fitness shoes. The fact is that when we work out in the gym, one of our activities can be running.

But the specificity of this shoe is created by other types of activity:

This is one of the most exciting part of running shoes because these are the shoes that allows athletes to perform at their best. And even more interesting is that there are a lot of them. For running at 100m, for running at 200m (where improvements are needed for cornering), for running at 3000m, and so on, more than 7 types.

Here is what is in common:

Next is the huge segment of asphalt running shoes, which has its own subsections. The subsections contain even more detailed subsections. But don't worry, we will explain and show you everything.

And the first subsection of running shoes is Cushioning. In fact, this is the base from which everything starts. The models in this segment have Good cushioning, Good fixation, Medium level of lightness and medium level of stability.

Let's outline their benefits:

On top, you need to understand that there are three subtypes in this subsection.

• Basic, which has absolutely average performance.
• With extra cushioning where the midsole is extended. This means that shock absorption is increased. But the downside of this segment is the increased weight.
• With added lightness where the midsole is reduced. The weight is reduced and these models are easier to run faster, but the shock absorption is less in these models.

If runner does not have trained stabilizers muscles, ligaments, or simply prefers safer models, manufacturers add elements that help landings and take off to be more predictable.

Thus, models from this segment are more bulky, heavier, but more stable and safer to use.

Let's outline their benefits:

On top, you need to understand that there are three subtypes in this subsection.

• Basic, which has absolutely average performance.
• With extra cushioning where the midsole is extended. This means that shock absorption is increased. But the downside of this segment is the increased weight.
• With added lightness where the midsole is reduced. The weight is reduced and these models are easier to run faster, but the shock absorption is less in these models.

The next segment is created specially for people with overpronation. However, although it is created for individuals, it can be freely used by people with a neutral pronation.

Elements that are used in models from this segment reinforce the inner side of the sneaker, which indirectly increases the stability of the shoe and makes it safer, but heavier and more bulky than cushioning models:

On top, you need to understand that there are three subtypes in this subsection.

• Basic, which has absolutely average performance.
• With extra cushioning where the midsole is extended. This means that shock absorption is increased. But the downside of this segment is the increased weight.
• With added lightness where the midsole is reduced. The weight is reduced and these models are easier to run faster, but the shock absorption is less in these models.

Everything that we have considered above is in some way comfortable models. Yes, not for everyone, lightweight models will be comfortable only for experienced runners with trained legs. But they all have at least a minimal level of cushioning and a comfortable upper.

Speed models is not about comfort. Everything here should give an advantage. And therefore, models from this segment are really light:

As you can see from the last point, there are options in speed.

Firstly, this is the ultimate lightness, when all the lightest materials are used in the model. The speed here is achieved by the fact that the shoes do not block the runner.

Secondly, the innovation that came with the introduction of the Nike Vaporfly 4%. These models consist of a carbon plate, a high midsole stack. Their speed secret lies in the rolling motion and carbon plate.

With the introduction of the carbon plate segment in Speed, the training segment also began to change. Models with rolling motion, swing effect began to be popular among amateurs to train legs for speed models.

Models in this segment are distinguished by a high midsole, better running economy, but due to height, they are less stable:

On top, you need to understand that there are three subtypes in this subsection.

• Basic, which has absolutely average performance.
• With extra cushioning where the midsole is extended. This means that shock absorption is increased. But the downside of this segment is the increased weight.
• With added lightness where the midsole is reduced. The weight is reduced and these models are easier to run faster, but the shock absorption is less in these models.

Now you know what types of running shoes there are - 14 , but we must immediately clarify that each brand is not like the previous one. Brands make hybrids, cross segments, create their own directions. We describe all this in detail in the analysis of brands. If you want to get a basic comparison, then the easiest way to read this article.

Perhaps you are in doubt which segment is right for you. But for this we have a separate detailed article, visit it and you will not have any questions.

And finally, just so you don't say that we missed it, there is a separate segment of running on rough terrain. And I must say that there is exactly the same detailed segmentation as in the asphalt running. One day it will appear here.

For now, let's just note their distinctive features:

These are the 5 segments of running shoes. I hope you know what you need. If in doubt, read this article.

Don't forget to send the article to a friend if it helped you.

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